Wheel suggestions.

[t-tony]

Well here's my two penneth, and seeing as I've offered to let @Grumpy try my Z3 wheels I'm sure he'll let me off.
I bought a set of 108's 18" after I bought my Z4 with the intention of having them refurbed in a couple of years if not before, they are OK for the time being, but, the insides are peeling and not nice so what do you suggest as a temporary coating to tidy them up till I can afford a full refurb please
I'm thinking scrape the loose stuff off and then brush paint them silver/alloy colour.

Tony.

 

[Bozzy]

I have had diamond cut and laquered lips on mine. The lips at the rear a bit deep so the stones that hit the dish chip the laquer...Then the aluminum underneat the laquer starts corroding and continues even if you take the wheels off for the winter.

If you do low mileage, slow driving on roads without any loose stones then they great. You could go more than 2-3 years without them starting to looking shabby.

If you use the car 'normally' and have dishes then expect a refurb in 2-3 yrs.
Might be less prone to this issue if you don't have deep dishes/lips on the wheels.

Alloy refurbish is big business with the amount of new cars coming with diamond cut wheels..

When refurbinh my wheels I went diamond cut again on the dishes but have left them bare aluminum (no laquer at all). This means they need regular polishing (say every 2 weeks) with a good metal polish. Of couse they are for summer only...

These how they were after from the refurb.
View attachment 25378 View attachment 25379
If I use a drill attachment I get much more shine or conversely I can not try as hard for a more subdued shine. It's a nice hobby and good 'exercise'..

This how the wheels were (admittedly after 4yrs and 30k miles in all seasons):
View attachment 25380
View attachment 25381

This is how they were after about 18mths and mostly summer miles - you can see the chips already on the lips of you look closely:

View attachment 25382



I have just 'discovered' Chrome Powder coat.
This could a great compromise between shine and low maintainence.
Quite a few places offer it now but I've read that the finish can be variable depending on condition of the wheel and prep work.

http://www.pureklas.co.uk/past-work/chrome-powder-coating-wheels

View attachment 25383

Sorry for the thread detailment but I love talking shiny wheels!

Hi Dino
thanks for your advice and info with 1st hand experience.
Your wheels are really nice mate it sounds like you spend a lot of time on them.

Steve

 

[Bozzy]

Well here's my two penneth, and seeing as I've offered to let @Grumpy try my Z3 wheels I'm sure he'll let me off.
I bought a set of 108's 18" after I bought my Z4 with the intention of having them refurbed in a couple of years if not before, they are OK for the time being, but, the insides are peeling and not nice so what do you suggest as a temporary coating to tidy them up till I can afford a full refurb please
I'm thinking scrape the loose stuff off and then brush paint them silver/alloy colour.

Tony.

I'd of thought that as it's the insides that need attention and not too visible,a man of your caliber would make a more than acceptable D.I.Y job that will last until you have them re-furbed

Steve

 

[Grumps]

how about something completely different and buck the trend - chrome plated wire wheels
View attachment 25376

They look good little chap but they wouldn't suit my car with the de-tango'd look I don't think.

 

[g8jka]

Personally, I think they really suit your car and if it was me I would keep them. Although if you wanted a set of 17's you can get them in a very similar style to your own, with a slight lip and this set is on eBay at the moment for £249 even though they are a square setup. They are 8J all round and the tyres are 245's all round so I'm not to sure on how or if they would fit but it could be an option. You would need to find the offset to tell for definite.

Here is the link so you can have a look.

Alternatively, you can't beat a set of AC Schnitzers on a zed

 

[Grumps]

Whilst we're on the subject of wheels does any one know any thing about having alloys "diamond cut" ?
Saw it on wheeler dealers a while ago with a Nissan sports car of some sort,and the wheels were diamond cut from the factory. They were looking shabby so they had them re-done some where and it really took my fancy.
Gives a highly polished look to the wheels and they are clear lacquered to protect the finish.
Apologies @Grumpy I don't mean to high jack your thread
Any info appreciated

Steve

Ne bor my little friend!

 

[Antm72]

I would have thought a scrape and a light sand would be good @t-tony but i wouldn't hand paint for the price of wheel silver i would if the are rough be tempted personally to back mask them and satin black the inners until refurb it may well be easier on the eye.

 

[Grumps]

Well here's my two penneth, and seeing as I've offered to let @Grumpy try my Z3 wheels I'm sure he'll let me off.
I bought a set of 108's 18" after I bought my Z4 with the intention of having them refurbed in a couple of years if not before, they are OK for the time being, but, the insides are peeling and not nice so what do you suggest as a temporary coating to tidy them up till I can afford a full refurb please
I'm thinking scrape the loose stuff off and then brush paint them silver/alloy colour.

Tony.

Tony I'd let you off with anything.........apart from brush painting your alloys!!!!

 

[Grumps]

OK I'd like to thank everyone for there imput today especially @t-tony for the offer of his Z3 wheels.
I have decided that I will first visit the Zed Shed Midlands LTD later in the year and have the suspension changes done and see if Tony will look at the clearance on the fronts for me and see how the ride is then and to see if anything can be done to loose the tyre stretch or not. If there is anyway of addressing this then I shall keep my current wheels as I do really like them. If not then I shall return to this thread and think again!

 

[Antm72]

Are yours a 8j or 8.5 j @Grumpy

 

[Grumps]

8.5 Ant

 

[Grumps]

They are 8.5j et41. @GazHyde has looked at this before for me and said they are right to the max. Tyres are 255/40/18 rears and 245/40/18 fronts off memory. There is very little clearance against the front springs and I'm assuming that's why the front tyres have been stretched. I'm sure @t-tony will have something to say about it with him being in the tyre game. He may even shout at me a little bit!

 

[billz]

Why have you got 255/40 rears should be 255/35 on 18s or am i missing something ?

 

[littlefeller]

Why have you got 255/40 rears should be 255/35 on 18s or am i missing something ?

hey if you can get 40s that would be great, my 35 makes the gap in the arch appear larger

 

[billz]

Yes but the deeper tyres will give the wrong speedo reading

 

[littlefeller]

thats ok, im not heavy footed anyway, and it would be less rpm at motorway speeds

 

[littlefeller]

or maybe i need to lower it a bit

 

[Grumps]

Why have you got 255/40 rears should be 255/35 on 18s or am i missing something ?

They may be Bill, I was going off memory, the cars locked away so haven't physically checked.

 

[oldcarman]

Listen to the little lady @Grumpy! Those wheels were on TOO! And one reason I bought it. You won't do much better no matter what you put on for looks but going to 17" after the new suspension should reward you. For anyone looking @spurs fan in a coupe has the wheels for sale along with most everything else from TOO! JIM

 

[zedonist]

Your tyres are too wide on the front, 225 is the maximum you want to run up there, that might help your ride just swapping tyres out...